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Paranormal Glossary
This
entry comprises a collection of terms which the paranormal investigator
is likely to encounter, though some of the terms which follow
have been devised specifically for TAPS reference. |
| A |
 |
| Afreet: In Arabic lore, the vengeful spirit of a murdered person which
arises from the victim's shed blood. |
| Akashic
Records: Originally a Hindu concept of a vast, and ever
increasing, psychic repository of every thought and emotion
- human or otherwise - which has ever been, and into which some
individuals seem able to tap. |
| Alchemy: The exploration and application of the sciences,
particularly chemistry and the pseudo science of astrology,
such as they were understood during the middle ages and early
Renaissance period. Alchemists were chiefly dedicated to the
worthy pursuit of producing gold from baser metals and various
materials. |
| Allee, John Dewey: (b. March 8, 1951) Occult author and
founder of a "Satanic Church" in Salem, MA, and New
England's version of Aleister Crowley.
Note: On May 1st, 2003, Dewey's organization reported he'd expired;
it turns out he's merely retired. |
Alma: Russian wildman encountered in Siberia and northern China, generally
described as being covered in hair and powerfully built, though
shorter in stature and more human appearing than the Yeti.
Some researchers have suggested that Almas may be decended from
Neandertals (Homo Neandertalensis).
See also: Bigfoot, Yeti |
Amulet: A symbol with magical significance, which is worn as a pendant
or ring.
See also: Icon, Pentacle, Rune, Talisman |
| Angel: "Messenger of God," a celestial being, benevolent
in nature and if visable, appearing in human form, and possessing
miraculous abilities such as teleportation, healing powers and
knowledge of future events. There have been accounts of angels
aiding people in times of crisis throughout the ages, albeit
with no real consistency to their 'modus operandi.' |
Anomaly: An occurance or condition removed from ordinarily understood
experience.
See also: Paranormal |
| Anthropomorphize: The humanocentric tendancy of imposing human perceptions and
priorities upon spirits and other wordly creatures or forces,
assuming that all consciousnesses must be akin to ours on some
basic levels. (This is a logical assumption when applied to
the survival instinct and perhaps to physical procreation; anything
more is merely a guess.) |
| Apparition: The projection or manifestation of a quasi-physical entity. |
| Astral
Travel: Belief or theory that a person's spiritual awareness
can temporarily detach itself from the physical body, remaining
connected by what is called the "silver cord," and
experience things in other locations, time frames or dimensional
planes. Some refer to this as "Astral Projection"
or "Mind Projection." |
| Atavism: Reversion to an earlier, ancestral type. |
| Aura-world: A reflection of our own sphere of existence, composed of
the electromagnetic emanations of physical matter, and probably
influenced by thought and emotion. It is another dimensional
plane proceeding from one in which we exist. |
| Avatar: Hindu belief in divine incarnation. |
| B |
|
Baphomet: Demon character supposedly worshiped by the Knights Templar
in 14th century France. Some present day practicioners of the
black arts regard Baphomet as a "god" of lust and
regeneration, or as symbolic of the Devil.
See also: Sigil of Baphomet |
| Banishing: Formal, ceremonial, procedure effected to cast an invisible
presence or influence out from an area. This term can refer
either to a spiritual cleansing, or
the closing of a magical rite, when the invoked powers are dismissed. |
| Bigfoot: A bulky, hair covered, bipedal humanoid which appears to
possess both human and ape-like characteristics. Also known
as Sasquatch and Yeti, depending upon locale. Sightings of these
creatures have for centuries been widely reported. |
| Bogey(-Man): A grim spectral figure who delights in menacing mortals
with rather gruesome pranks and abductions. Although the lore
of this character has degenerated into a familiar device used
to threaten rambunctious shildren, the 'Bogey' was formerly
soundly dreaded in Celtic regions, and was said to prowl the
stretches of fields, marshes, and moors, looking for hikers
and travelers who had strayed from their paths. |
| C |
|
| Cabot,
, Laurie: (b. 1933) Wicca spokesperson, author, and for
the past thirty years, recognized as the official High Priestess
of the Witches of Salem, MA. |
| Carcosa: A mysterious nether region or outer-world containing the
mythical lake called "Hali," which appears in the
fiction of authors Ambroce G. Bierce ("An Inhabitant of
Carcosa") and Robert W. Chambers ("The King in Yellow"
: "Cassilda's Song"). There are students of arcane,
mystical lore who believe that Carcosa may truly exist, which
is why it is included with this roster of terms. |
Chupacabra: Spanish for Goat sucker. In Puerto Rico, for twenty some
years, numerous livestock and stray pets have been found with
throats torn out, drained of blood and bearing mysterious puncture
wounds. On the scene sightings of the creature supposed responsible
are exceedingly rare, and descriptions always include "glowing
red eyes." Locale and the absence of distinct tracks rule
out either wolverines or monitor lizards, both of which always
drag off their prey. The most feasible suggesion is a coyote
or feral dog, but again, the behavior doesn't match. Whatever
is the true culprit, Chupacabra has become a popular sensation
on the island.
See also: Lurking Enigma |
| Construct,
Psychic: It has been theorised, and experimentation has
been conducted to support this premise, that through directed
psychic energies a responsive spirit-like entity can be created,
continuing for a time to exist independently. |
| Continuance: Commonly refered to as life-after-death, survival of the
psyche post cessation of the biological organism which had generated
it. |
| Cleansing
(Psychic): A less ritualized fom of exorcism, where-in a
dwelling or site is purified and malevolent influences are banished
through prayers, spoken as the petitioner moves through the
area. |
| Crop Circles: During the past three centuries, throughout
the British Isles but with a particular concentration in the
southern region of England, circular impressions spanning sometimes
several hundred feet in diameter and often quite intricate in
design, have frequently nd inexplicably been appearing overnight
in wheat and grain fields. Sometimes the source can be traced
to haoxters; sometimes the details do not allow for any satisfactory,
mundane explanation. Much documentation, as well as speculation,
regarding this topic is available. |
| Crowley,
Aleister (Edward Alexander): (b. 1875, d.1947) Scottish-born
occultist, metaphysician, sorcerer, adventurer, poet and author
of many occult treatises and manuals, including 'Magick In Theory
And Practice.' Crowley oncec dubbed himself "The Greaat
Beast 666," one of the few of his many monikers which stayed
with him, and the press refered to him as "The Wickedest
Man in the World." Although in some respects brilliant,
Crowley gave himself over to excess, amorality and eventual
dissipation. His writings are still studied and analyzed by
many present day, serious students of the magic(k)al arts. |
| Crypto-zoology: The branch of paranormal research which deals with the exploration
of legendary creatures such as Bigfoot, lake and sea monsters,
thunderbirds, etc. It should be noted that the Giant Squid (the
"Kraken"), orangutans (the "Red Men of the Forest"),
Komodo Dragons and gigantic Nepalese elephants all were formerly
included in the roster of fabled creatures! |
| Crystal
Skulls: Five human skull models, exquisitely crafted in
antiquity from solid quartz crystal, have been found in various
locations throughout Latin America, the best known of these
being the 'Mitchell-Hedges Skull,' discovered in 1924 in the
Balese Jungle of Labuton by Anna Mitchell-Hedges while on an
expidition with her father, and still in her possession in Canada.
The others are kept in collections in Guadamala, Texas, the
Smithsonian and the British Museum. Mayan legend tells that
eight more crystal skulls remain, and that by the time all thirteen
are united, mankind will have learned how to extract and decipher
the vital information, history and revelations, which they contain. |
| C'thulu: A creation of author H.P. Lovecraft and a favorite of horror/science
fiction enthusiasts, C'thulu' (pronunciation is interpretive)
is described as a kind of demon-god from another world, a monstrosity
resembling a gigantic squid or octopus who "sleeps and
dreams" in his lair at the bottom of the Arctic ocean,
biding his time until some foolhardy "diciples" find
means to call him to rise and reclaim dominion of the earth.
Doubtlessly, some are actually trying! See also: H.P.
Lovecraft and Necronomicon. |
| D |
|
| Dee,
Doctor John: (b. 1527, d. 1608) Alchemist, astrologer, seer
and advisor to Queen Elizabeth I of England who, along with
his somewhat unscrupulous associate Edward Kelly, supposedly
devised a method of deciphering an angelic language, known as
the "Enochian Calls." |
| Demon: Hostile and resentful entity, supposedly of non-human origin,
which some believe to be "fallen (from grace) angels." [Read More] |
| Doppelganger: German for "Double-goer." A person's duplicate
or identical counterpart, seen as a result of bi-locational
or astral travel. This phenomenon has been overshadowed by the
more modern (and viable) concept of cloning, with its speculative
ramifications. |
| Druid: A Celtic priest of the Bronze or Iron Age, trained
in healing, divination and astronomy, whose tradition was passed
on to successors by oral tradition. |
| E |
|
| Ectoplasm: A filmy, quasi-solid substance which supposedly issues from
the bodies of mediums (from the mouth, nostrils, eyes, ears,
navel or nipples) during trance states. In photographs, this
phenomenon seems to resemble soaked muslin fabric. Whether or
not it has ever been genuine, curiously, virtually no ectoplasm
has been reported in the past fifty years. |
| Elementals: In magical tradition and ceremony, spirits which govern
the four corners of the earth and are associated with, or reside
within, the four basic elements. They are called Sylphs (the
east, air), Salamanders (the south, fire), Undines (the west,
water), and Gnomes (the north, earth). Check
out our Nature Spirit Dept. |
| Empath: An individual who is particularly sensative to the psychic
emanations of his or her surroundings, even to a degree of telepathically
receiving and experiencing the emotions of others in their proximity.
Obviously, psychic empathy can be regarded as a mixed blessing,
and the empath must learn to gain a measure of control over
this ability. |
Enochian: A magical, "angelic" language first translated
by Dr. John Dee, and used in the rituals of both the "Hermetic
Order of the Golden Dawn" in the 19th century and the "First
Church of Satan" in the 20th century.
See also: Dee, Doctor John |
| Entity: A disembodied "consciousness" commonly referred
to as ghost, spirit or (if of an apparently malicious or resentful
nature) demon. |
| Entropy: The observation that everything in the material Universe
will eventually, inevitably wind-down, burn-out, fall apart
... well, I'm sure you get the (dismal) picture. |
| E.V.P: 'Electronic Voice Phenomena.' Disembodied
"voices" and sounds imprinted on audio recording devices. |
| Exorcism: Ceremonial expulsion of invading spiritual/demonic entities
from a person or dwelling, present in virtually every worldly
culture. The Jewish and Catholic Christian faiths each have
a formal 'Rite of Exorcism' to be conducted by the respective
Rabbi or Priest. |
| Extra-terrestrials: Life forms originating on planets other than our own. This
term usually refers to highly advanced visitors from other worlds,
who journey to our sphere in space crafts with the probable
intention of observing and studying our species. |
| F |
|
| Faustus,
Doctor Johann: (b. circa 1455, d. 1540) Scholar, physician
and alchemist from Wittenburg, Germany, who was renown for his
proficiency in treating victims of the plague contagion (to
which the Doctor semed strangely resistant), and the basis for
the stories by Johann Wolfgang Goethe and Christopher Marlowe
about a learned man who sold his oul to the devil through his
infernal agent Mephistopheles in exchange for "four and
twenty years" of knowledge, youth and power. |
| Fetish: Aside from the modern sexual connotation, a fetish is a
shamanistic tool in the form of a figurine, animal part or a
pouch containing items with magical associations. |
| Floating
Orb: Spherical image, usually translucent white, though
sometimes of a reddish or bluish hue, which inexplicably registers
on photographic film and videotape, also known as "Globule." |
| G |
|
| Ghost: The image of a person witnessed after his/her death, reflecting
the appearance of the living, physical body yet less substantial.
These forms often seem to exist in a dream-like state of semi-awareness,
at times though not always cognizant of their human observers. |
| Globule: An anomaly where-in floating, circular forms appear on photographs
or videotape, which seem indicative of spirit activity. Globes
are a natural containment formation of the miniscus of liquid,
as in gas containing bubbles; perhaps the interaction of energy
and a quasi-physical substance produced by spiritual manifestations
results in a similar effect, the globules being an initial containment
of energy. Presently, all we know is that they continue to appear,
and extraneous possible causes such as moisture, light refraction
or emulsion seepage, etc., have been considered and ruled out. |
Golden-rod: A rare anomaly seen in videotape recorded at the site of a suspected haunting, appearing as bright, white or yellowish lines rapidly moving across a room.
See Also: Globule, Vortex |
Grey: The most frequently reported visitor from an alien world,
described as having greyish skin, a bulbous cranium, tapered
chin, straight, unmoving, horitontal line for a mouth, slits
substituting for a nose, slanted eyes, and a slight body. In
some accounts, it has three fingers plus an opposable thumb
on each hand. Supposedly, such beings were encountered by Betty
and (the late) Barney Hill during their abduction in NewHampshire
in september, 1961.
See Also: Apparition |
| H |
|
Hallowe'en: 'The Eve of All Hallows,' also known by Pagan Celts and
Wiccans as 'Samhain' (pronounced, 'Sow'-an'), October 31,
the night preceeding the Catholic Church's 'All Saints Day.'
For a millenium, in much of Europe and the British Isles,
this was held to be the night when departed relatives were
especially remembered, and the veil separating the realms
of the living and the dead was rendered thinner than usual.
Jack-o' lanterns were placed on stoops and window-sills to
frightened off malicious spirits. Hallowe'en is presently
celebrated as a night of revels and masquerading, and in Mexico
it is part of a traditional annual festival known as 'El Dia
De Los Muertos' ('The Day of the Dead'). |
Haunting: The manifestation of a ghostly presence, or presences, attached
to a specific locale. Hauntings can be categorized into four
(usually) distinct types, these being Intelligent (responsive), Poltergeist (likely initiated by pent-up stress
on a subconcious level), Residual (replay) and Demonic (non-human origin).
See also "Infestation." |
| Hex: A magical working, or "spell," cast to influence
a person's will or fate, most often refering to a curse rather
than a blessing or healing. |
Hobgoblin: Mischievous sprite (fairy, spirit) who delights in perpetrating
pranks upon hapless humans, once widely believed in and dreaded
throughout Europe and Celtic regions. (Caution: It is theorized
that these diminuative denizens of the netherworld will, upon
occasion, interfere in psychic investigations by devices such
as misplacing directions and telephone numbers, draining flashlight
and camera batteries, and even pulling keys right out of investigators'
pockets!) I assume that anyone who reads the preceeding caution
will realize it is farcical! |
Homunculus: A form of miniature human supposedly produced (for purposes
unknown) in the laboratories of medieval alchemists.
See also: Alchemy |
| Hypnosis: A state of profound mental focus, actually self-induced
although an external agent - a "hypnotist" - often
acts as the catalyst, or director, for the subject entering
this state. Also known as "Mesmerism" after Franz
Anton Mesmer who first popularized this practice (utilizing
magnets as his props) during the last two decades of the 18th
century. As concerns paranormal investigation, hypnosis is sometimes
used as a vehicle for "past lives regression" and
memory restoration in suspected (alien?) abduction cases. |
| I |
|
| Icon: A rendering or image of particular (often religious) significance. |
Imbolc: In the Wiccan calendar, February 2nd is celebrated as the
day when winter's end is in sight, and the return of the sunn's
warmth is anticipated. Also known as Candlemas and the familiar
Ground Hog Day.
See also: Wicca |
| Incubus: Stemming from medieval lore, a demonic entity capable of
sexually arousing and sometimes assaulting human females. Cases
of apparent incubus attacks continue to be documented, suggesting
a germ of reality behind the myth. |
| Infestation: Repeated and persistent paranormal phenomena, generally
centered around a particular location or person(s). Also known
as a haunting. |
| Influence: An invisible entity of undetermined nature, effecting the
inhabitants of a dwelling. This may initially manifest as an
inexplicable feeling of uneasiness, then be followed by more
definite signs which reveal a haunting. |
| J |
|
Jersey
Devil: In the Pine Barrens region of northern New Jersey
and New York, for more than two and a half centuries there have
been reports of a very strange and singular creature described
as having an equine head, glowing, reddish eyes, stork's legs,
forelimbs with claw-bearing paws, a pointed tail and membranous,
bat-like wings. It emits a shrill, piercing scream, and has
been sighted rifling through garbage, standing in paths and
roads, and flying just above the tree tops. One rather indistinct
photo of this Jersey Devil has produced, but to the best of
my knowledge, no one has yet recorded its ear-splitting cry.
See also: Lurking Enigma |
| K |
|
| Kirlian
Photography: Named after Semyon Kirlian who, in 1939, discovered
- reportedly by accident - that when an organic or nonliving
object is placed upon a photographic plate and subjected to
a high electric current, a glowing "aura" forms around
the object and is imprinted on the film. It is more accurate
to say that rather than revealing a natural aura, this process
produces such. However, fluctuations in the magnetic fields
surrounnding the subjects can be detected in this way, and Kirlian
photogrgaphy, the technique having been improved upon through
the years, has recently come into use as a medical diagnostic
devicec. It also has a popular market at psychic fairs as a
sort of high-tech, more expansive version of the mood ring.
Kirlian photography does produce some beautiful and interesting
effects. |
| L |
|
| LaVey, Anton Szandor: (b. April 23, 1930, d. Oct. 29, 1997)
Birth name was Howard Stanton Levey. One of the major figures
of the occult revival of the 1960's and 70's. Charismatic and
self-promoting, LaVey formed the 'First Church of Satan' in
1966 and his 'The Satanic Bible' was published by Avon Books
in 1968. LaVey's version of Satan was allegorical, symbolizing
"the Spirit of Rebellion" as well as an unknown, ,
but potentially implementable "force of nature." The
ceremonies he devised were entertaining psychodrama, and his
Satanic philosophy was based on rational self-interest, albeit
with overtly diabolical trappings. |
| Lepke: A very unique and interesting type of spiritual manifestation,
a ghost which has the appearance of a solid, living person,
may even converse with someone, then suddenly vanishes. "We
were talking, I turned to face her again, and she was just gone!"
Such apparitions are most often reported to have been encountered
within, or immediately outside of cemeteries. |
| Levitation: A phenomenon sometimes encountered in hauntings, particularly
with Poltergeists, rare yet credibly reported, where solid objects
(including persons) are moved and lifted by an unseen force.
The first historcally documented occurance was that of St. Francis
of Assisi in the 14th century. |
Lilith: Devil of Sumerian origin and later included in Hebrew beliefs,
believed by Quabbalists to have been the first wife of Adam,
later excluded from the Talmud, and held by some occultists
to be a vampire goddess and a powerful succubus.
See also: Succubus, Vampire |
| Lore: Collective beliefs and legendry relating to a subject,
as in "vampire lore". |
Lovecraft,
Howard Phillips "H.P.": (b. 1890, d. 1937) Horror
fiction writer from Providence, Rhode Island, whose prose apparently
is so haunting and convincing that some present day cults practice
rituals based on what is termed as Lovecraft's "C'thulu
Mythos."
See also: C'thulu and Necronomicon |
| Lucifer: Name taken from the Latin "luci" (light) and "fere"
(to bear), originally a Roman lesser deity, "Son of the
Morning," formerly the name for the planet Venus when observed
at dawn, in Christian theology identified with the Devil: arch
regent of fallen angels. Lucifer is sometimes called upon in
pagan ceremonies and rituals. (See also Satan) |
| Lurking
Enigma: "Lurk" means to furtively move about,
and I can think of no more appropriate term to describe this
phenomenon - a type of entity which can be visable to
human observers, yet appears in distorted, unidentifiable forms.
Common traits reported by witnesses include glowing red or silver
eyes, dark color (fur or feathers), startling speed and agility,
in some cases winged and capable of flight, as with the 'Jersey
Devil.' Although such nebulous creatures seem to mean us no
harm, encounters with them can be terrifying, and provoke much
curiousity. As one would expect, they are extremely elusive. |
| Lycanthrope: A person who projects a frenzied display of their innate
savagery for periodic episodes, believing themselves to be overcome
by the spirit of a beast. |
| M |
|
| Magic: The practice of directing psychic ability, or "supernatural"
forces to effect changes and fulfill desires. Many modern practitioners
have adobted the archaic spelling of magick, in the tradition
of author and occultist, Aleister Crowley (b. 1871, d. 1947). |
Manzee: Hypothesized hybrid of Homo sapiens (human)
and pan troglodyte (chimpanzee), also referred to as
a "sport". A disturbing notion, is it not?
See also: Cryptozoology |
| Metaphysics: Said to have been instituted by Aristotle,
the line of philosophical thought which seeks the "why
and wherefore," the intrinsic meaning of existence and
human endeavor. |
| Miracle: A wonderous and beneficial event, apparently brought
about by supernatural/divine agent. |
| Materialization: A ghost appearing visually, suddenly or
gradually, sometimes indistinct, sometimes seemingly quite solid. |
| Matrixing: The natural tendancy for the human mind to interpret sensory
input, what is perceived visually, audibly or tactiley, as something
familiar or more easily understood and accepted, in effect mentally
"filling in the blanks." |
| Moon
Madness: As the Lunar cycle waxes to its full point, incidents
of psychotic behavior, violence and crime seem to escalate.
To a lesser degree, the phase of the New Moon seems correlated
to a rash of abnormal behavior. Current understanding of human
psychology and physiology refutes the observation that our moon
can exert significant influence on the human mind, 'though statistics
support it. (Hence the term "lunatic" for crazy person.)
Naturally, it is during the nights of the full Moon when cult
activities will be at their zenith. Also, there are those pesky werewolves to contend with! |
Mumiai: Native
American Indian spirit which behaves in the manner of a Poltergeist.
See also: Poltergeist |
| N |
|
Nanteos Cup: During the Reformation in the 1520's, when
King Henry VIII ordered the closing and destruction of England's
Catholic monasteries, the monks of Glastonbury Abbey bequeathed
a small, unassuming vessel made of olive wood to the stewardship
of a certain family in Wales, saying only that it was their
greatest treasure. The remnant of this bowl is now in the
keeping of the last living member of this family. Many believe
this to be the actual 'Holy Grail,' the cup of which Christ
partook at the Last Supper, and whice, the legend tells us,
was conveyed to Cornwall in A.D. 37 by Joseph of Arithamathea
(who, as a prosperous tin merchant, would have been familiar
with this trade route). Healings have been attributed to the
Nanteos Cup. |
| Nazca Lines: In the Nazca Valley of southern Peru are etched
enormous tracings of figures of a club wielding man, a plendid
spider, a horse, a duck and other figures. Estimated to have
been painstakingly etched into the rocky soul more than a millenia
ago, these enigmatic representations can be beheld in their
entirety only from an arial viewpoint (by ancient, sub-equatorial
balloonists. perhaps?). |
Necromancy: The practice of communicating with the dead to obtain
knowledge of the future, others' secrets, etc. An archaic
term, the necromancer was said to employ magic spells and
conjuration to summon, then banish, the spirits of the dead. |
| Necronomicon: A grimoire (that is, collection) of ancient sigils and incantations
of nebulous origins, discovered in the 8th century by the "Mad
Arab," Abdul Alhazred, said to be capable of opening a
chasm to the "Dread Dimension" and unleashing the
wrathful power of the timeless "Elder Gods." Although
some occultists believe this tome to be at least derived from
genuine (and nefarious) sources, we are fairly confident that
it sprang from the fiction of Providence, Rhode Island-born
horror author, Howard Phillips (H.P.) Lovecraft (b. 1890, d.
1937). |
| Necronomicon
Spellbook: A toned-down, elegantly printed companion book
to the 'Necronomicon,' also by Avon
Books. |
| Nexus: The transitional, or joining point connecting physical matter
(which, in a sense, is energy condensed) and pure energy, and
containing properties of both definites, i.e. the physical brain
producing a mind through its network of dendrites and firing
axions, or the body's connection to the spirit. The concept
of the Nexus is the basis for much conjecture and postulating. |
| Non-religionist: A materialist, one who embraces no formal religious beliefs;
a more descriptive term than atheist or agnostic. |
| Nosferatu: Slavic, old world term for vampire, meaning "undead." |
| O |
|
| Oracle: A prophet, seer and visionary, especially one of renown.
Also, a special device whice aids in prognostication, such as
a crystal ball. (i.e. "The Mystifying Oracle" of William
Fuld's Ouija Board.) |
Oui-ja
(Board): A divining implement consisting of a small, round
or more often rectangular platform with letters, numbers and
various symbols printed upon it, and a "plancette"
which, when the fingers of two participants are lightly placed
along its edges, is intended to glide across the smooth surface
of the inscribed platform and indicate messages. Conceived
of as a parlour game in the wake of popular spiritualism,
this is potentially a very dangerous tool for inviting in
unpredictable, invasive forces. Experienced researchers
vehemently advise against their usage. |
| P |
|
 Pact: The belief, prevalent in the late middle ages through the
Renaissance, that someone could trade his or her soul in return
for wordly gain.
See also: Faustus, Doctor Johann |
| Paranormal: The realm of occurances and phenomena removed from those
to which people are accustomed and comprehend, and presently
uncategorized by standard academia. |
| Parapsychology: The avenue of paranormal studies and research relating chiefly
to psychic abilities (e.s.p., telepathy) and spiritual phenomena. |
| Pentacle/Pentagram: The traditional five-pointed star design, with its interior
pentagon dilineated, generally representing both spirituality
and protection when point "up"; when inverted, it
is said to signify diabolism. |
| Phantom
Lights: Sometimes they can be attributed to blue methane
flame produced by swamp gas, or electrical discharges in the
form of what is termed ball lightning or perhaps even misplaced
fireflies. Yet, in other instances, the phenomenon of floating
lights observed over water, the edge of woods, , lonely backroads
and in the windows of darkened houses just can't be dismissed
by ordinary explanations. These might be globules which coalesce
and intensify in luminosity to the point where they become visible
in dark surroundings. |
| Philosopher's
Stone: A wonderous beacon of sublime wisdom and awesome
revelation, a powerful conjurer's device, perhaps even an extraterrestrial
gem encoded with unimagined, otherworldly knowledge. For centuries
alchemists, mystics, learned men and seekers of truth questted
for the fabled Philosopher's Stone, ,not really knowing where
or even precisely what it was. Oncee obtained, it would impart
the wisdom of the world and of the angels. Should this actually
exist and is in someone's possession, ,it may well be regarded
as one more enigmatic artifact, since it is unlikely to include
instructions! |
| Poltergiest: German for "noisy ghost." This is an extremely
rare occurance wherein random objects are moved and sounds produced
by an unseen force, the sole purpose of which seems to be to
draw attention to itself. The phenomenon always involves a specific
individual, frequently a child or adolescent. [Read
More] |
| Possession: Invasion of the human mind by a spiritual or demonic entity,
where the invading agent for a span of time, influences or entirely
subverts the personality of the human host. It is in these instances
that the boundaries of psychology, religion and spiritualism
are rendered less distinct. |
| Precognition: The psychic perception of future events or conditions. |
| Psychic: Relating to the psyche, of the mind or soul, rather
than the mundane. Psychic is the most familiar and bandied-about
term encountered in paranormal research ( "a psychic,"
"psychic investigation," etc.). |
| Psychic
Vampire: This is a term for individuals who seem to instinctively
draw and absorb the psychic energies from others, usually while
conversing with (or at) them. |
| Psychokinesis: A psychic pnemomenon where-in opjects are remotely inprinted
or displaced and moved around, solely by the powers of the mind
(psychic force). |
| Q |
|
| Quabbala (also Cabbala, Kabbala): A very ancient
and complex system of Jewish mysticism, probably influenced
by Assyrian-Babylonian and Macedonian beliefs and existing as
the basis of an underground cult during much of the middle ages. |
| R |
|
| Radiant
Child: The apparition of a child which is seen glowing
or surrounded by a bright aura. |
| Regents: In medieval Eurpean lore, chief spirits who preside over
the four regions of the earth: 'Oriens' is Regent of the east,
'Amemon' is Regent of the south, 'Boul' is Regent of the west,
'Eltzen' is Regent of the north. |
| Reincarnation: The belief that a person's soul will, following bodily death,
inhabit a new body in a long cycle of rebirths, purportedly
for the soul's evolution through gaining experience. |
| Residual
(Haunting): Psychic imprint of a scene which is repeatedly
played out, where the witness of such phenomenon essentially
is peering into the past. The ghostly participants of these
time-displacements often seem unaware of their living observers.
(Read more about Residual
Hauntings Here.) |
| Retrocognition: The psychic perception of past events or conditions. |
| Revenant: An entity which projects an appearance of being distressed
or misplaced. |
| Rune: An archaic character inscribed upon a stone or clay tablet,
signifying some virtue or property, as with the Norse Runes,
and used for divination and as a talisman. |
| S |
|
| Sanguinor: A person exhibiting vampiric tendancies (the desire to ingest
blood) and attributes. These may be either contrived or pathological. |
| Satan: Hebraic term for "Adversary," the "Tester"
in the Biblical Book of Job, the most familiar name of the Devil,
the "Falled Angel" and the "Evil One." Investigators
sometimes come across evidence of the activities of Satanic
cults, who perform animal sacrifices and apparently believe
that desecrations and obscenities are devotions to their dark
lord. |
| Séance: A group effort to contact the spirit world. In standardized
format, the lighting of the chamber in which the séance
is conducted is subdued, and the participants sit around the
table, either holding hands or with hands palm down, flat against
the table's surface and with fingertips touching those of the
adjacent partners. A candle generally is set on the center of
the table. The appointed director or "medium" addresses
the spirit(s) with whom contact is sought, and then it's "We
await a sign..." TAPS Note: We do not endorse the use of
séances. |
| Shade: An entity resembling a once-living being (human or animal). |
| Shaman: A tribal priest who, following much preparation and rite
of initiation, uses the forces of magic to effect healings and
divinations. |
| Shuck: ('Black Shuck,' 'Old Shuck') A phantom black dog with glowing
yellow eyes. Hikers in the British Isles who encounter this
spectral creature by lonely roadsides and paths are said to
be doomed to die within a year of the sighting. It is from this
legend that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle drew his inspiration for
his Sherlock Holmes adventure, 'The Hound of the Baskervilles'
(1902). |
Sidhe: (pronounced Shee) Irish term for Fairy folk, the "little
people" who sequester themselves in woodlands and caverns.
See also: TAPS Nature
Spirit Dept. |
| Sigil
of Baphomet: Leit-motif if Satanism, this emblem
is composed of an inverted pentagram containing a goat head,
ancompassed by two, concentric circles, in between which are
placed five Hebriac characters. |
| Signet: A ring bearing a personal or family emblem. |
| Silky: A female ghost which is attired in a rustling silk garment (sometimes
seen, other times just heard) and performs domestic chores for
a household after the occupants have retired for the night. |
| Spirit: Existence apart from, or transcending, the purely physical;
also, the life-force of an organism. A spirit commonly
refers to a ghost. |
| Spirit
Rescue: Attempting contact with entities, intended to alleviate
the entities' distress and aid them in the resolution of their
conflicts, and in "crossing over" to a higher, spiritual
plane. |
Spook: Benevolent spirit exclusively of America which comes from the
legends of the Red Indians.
Also, TAPS's official mascott! ---> |
 |
| Spunkies: The sad spirits of unnamed, unchristened or unbaptized children,
believed by old Gaelic and English tradition to wander country
roads in search of someone who will name them. |
| Stigmata: Persons have been observed periodically bleeding from points
on their bodies corresponding to the wounds of the Crucifixtion.
Although the physiological mechanisms which produce this effect
are not understood, it is apparently and externalization of
religious fervor. Stigmata has been thought to be an indication
of sanctity. St. Francis of Assisi was said to have displayed
the stigmatic bleeding, and the best documented case is that
of Padre Pio (b. 1887, d. 1968). |
| Succubus: "Female" counterpart of the incubus, a demonic
entity said to inspire lust in men (and most inconveniently!),
sometimes capable of physically attacking and inflicting injuries
(bruises & slashes). Following a nocturnal visitation from
a succubus, the human victim will always feel ill and depleted
of vitality, and inexplicably "un-clean." |
| Synchronicity: Unexplained system of causal interaction which binds together
events, actions and thought, manifesting as uncanny coincidences.
Term for and existence of this phenomenon was first proposed
by pioneering psycho-analyst, Carl Gustav Jung (a contemporary
of Sigmund Freud). Synchronicity indicates there is more to
the Universe than our understanding of simple cause and effect,
and that the subtleties of the mind and matter are somehow interconnected. |
| T |
|
| Table-tipping: An experiment in psychokenisis which can fairly easily be
replicated. Three or four participants lightly place their fingers
along the edges of a small table top, then in unison chant "table
move, table move..." With sufficient cooperation and concentration,
and after several minuntes of chanting, the table shouold start
to wobble, pivot on its legs and possibly even lead the participants
on a scurry about the room. |
| Talisman: A design or inscription that is worn, carried or displayed,
for the purpose of invoking strength, power, protection or the
aid of spirits. |
| Tash: Irish name for a ghost which can appear in either human or animal
form. Also called Thevshi. |
| Telekenisis: A psychic phenomenon where-in objects are remotely displaced
and moved around, solely by the powers of the mind. |
| Thought
Transference: Telepathic transmitting of images and messages
from the mind of one person to that of another. |
| Thunderbird: Prevalent among the Amer-Indian peoples, particularly the
Algonquin and Cheyene, are legends telling of immense birds,
and raging storms that would come in their wake. Interestingly,
reported sightings of birds of truly monstrous proportions persist,
most frequently through the vicinity of the Sierra Madre mountain
range in Mexico. In the Miocene era, approximately eight to
ten million years ago, a species of bird, discovered in only
1979 and dubbed "Argentaevis Magnificens," (which
means 'Magnificent Bird of Argentina') soared through South
American skies, with a wing-span of 25 feet and weighing perhaps
200 lbs! Just maybe...? |
| Time-displacement: The experience of a time span separate from the native time
span of the observer. The phenomenon is sometimes merely viewed
and not participated in; sometimes a person seems to actually
time-travel to another era. |
| U |
|
| Ultra-terrestrials: Beings who appear human and visit our plane of existence
with some form of message or mission, then inexplicably vanish.
Speculation abounds! |
| V |
|
| Vampire: A demonic (?) entity in the form of a deseased person, which
perpetuates itself by draining the blood or psychic energy of
the living. |
| Voodoo: African magic traditions with a veneer of imposed Catholicism
from the new world, taking root in the Carribean, particularly
the dark populous of Haiti. Similarities in origin and practices
exist in the beliefs of 'Obia' (Jamaica) and 'Santeria' (Puerto
Rico, Dominican Republic). |
Vortex: pl. Vortexes or Vortices. An anomaly which sometimes shows up in still photographs taken at the site of a suspected haunting, appearing as a transluscent white, tube or funnel shaped mass. Some researchers believe this may be a porthole to the spirit realm.
See Also: Golden-rod, Globule |
| Vorthr: Norse guardian spirit. This name is the source of the word
Wraith. |
| W |
|
| Warlock: Term originally meant "deceiver" or " one
who misleads," in more modern parlance has become associated
with a male witch. |
| Werewolf: (Old/Middle English word for man = were) A human
being capable of transforming into the form of a wolf (or any
variety of animals), then back to human; sometimes refered to
as a "Shape-Shifter." See also "Lycanthrope" |
| Wicca: Witchcraft as a recognized religion, the practicioners of
which refer to their system as, "The Old Way" and
"The Ancient Religion." Wiccans in their rituals align
themselves with elementals and the earth's natural magnetic
fields, personified by the names of ancient Greek, Egyptian
and Sumerian deities. |
| Witch: Broadly, a practitioner of the magic arts, spec.
a woman who employs charms, herbs and incantations to effect
the workings of her will. Also, a practitioner of the Wicca craft. |
| Wizard: A male sorcerer and conjurer who is especially adept
and experienced in his craft. |
Wraith/Wrayth: The image of a person
appearing shortly before or after his or her death; term can
also be applied to a ghost.
See also: Apparition, Ghost |
| X |
|
| Xenobiology: From the Greek word "Xeno" = strange,
the observation/speculation of the biology of very uncommon
or unverified creatures. This term has usage in the research
categories of cryptozoology and otherworldly aliens. |
| Xenophobia: A pronounced aversion to people, or beings,
of foreign origins. |
| Y |
|
| Yaweh: (ronounced "Yah-vay") According to ancient
Hebrew and Quaballistic teaching, the name of God abbbreviated
to "YHWH," (in Hebrew, pronounced "Yud-hey
vav hey"), which is the Tetragammaton, whence
is derived "Jehova." It was deemed forbidden to pronounce,
or even seek to learn, the full, true name of the Absolute.
(The more archeological evidence uncovered which tends to support
Biblical accounts, the more arises suggestion and speculation
that, approx. 3,000 years ago, a powerful extra-terrestrial
presence took a particular interest in a nomadic, mercantile,
tribal group of desert dwellers who would come to be known as
the Israelites, the "People of God.") |
| Yeti: A legendary creature of Tibet's Himalayan Mountains region,
an anthropoid with both human and ape characteristics, the "Abominable
Snow Man." As with its western counterpart, the Sasquatch
or Bigfoot, credible witnesses have reported sightings and numerous
tracks have been found, but photographs and purported bodily
remnants of the creature remain inconclusive. |
| Z |
|
| Zarcanor - A malevolent spirit which attacks people while
they're asleep, inspiring nightmares, and sometimes even inflicting
| | |
